ABC shuts Adam Lambert out of 'Kimmel': Is the FCC to blame?

That naughty American Music Awards performance isn't going to be behind Adam Lambert anytime soon.

Even after his well-received performance on "The Early Show" last week, ABC continues to feel uncomfortable around Lambert. His Dec. 17 "Jimmy Kimmel Live" appearance was canceled today--news Lambert himself delivered on his Twitter page an hour ago.

The performance on Kimmel's live stage was scheduled before Lambert made his now infamous debut on the AMAs on Nov. 22.  In one of his tweets about the matter, Lambert told his fans not to blame ABC but rather "It's the FCC heat."

It's not clear whether ABC told Lambert to put the blame there or if the "American Idol" runner-up is making his own assumptions. But we do know the following: The FCC doesn't monitor programming after 10 p.m. Don't believe us? The following is an excerpt from its website:

"The FCC has determined, with the approval of the courts, that there is a reasonable risk that children will be in the audience from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., local time. Therefore, the FCC prohibits station licensees from broadcasting indecent material during that period.

"Material is indecent if, in context, it depicts or describes sexual or excretory organs or activities in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium...The 'safe harbor' refers to the time period between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., local time. During this time period, a station may air indecent and/or profane material."

We are not saying Lambert is indecent, but, either way, it's been deemed OK for him to be after 10 p.m. (His AMA appearance, by the way, aired at 10:55 p.m.).

In a statement to The Times, an ABC spokeswoman made no mention of the FCC and would only explain the network's decision to disinvite Lambert from performing on "Kimmel" as follows, "We decided not to move forward with the booking at this time." ABC declined to be interviewed about the issue.

You will recall that ABC also disinvited Lambert from "Good Morning America" last week.  And to just make it a dissing trifecta, Lambert also tweeted that he was disinvited from performing on "New Year's Rockin' Eve." Sources at Dick Clark Productions, however, tell us those plans were never finalized.

Lambert assured his fans he will still appear on "The Jay Leno Show" and he thinks "it'll all blow over."

Do you?

--Maria Elena Fernandez

--Photo: Lambert at the AMAs; Credit: Associated Press

Related:

Adam Lambert faces critics on "The Early Show"

Adam Lambert calls the controversy a double standard

Controversy equals sales

CBS responds to blurring of image of Lambert kissing a male band member

Comments

[Marcus]

More free publicity for Lambert.

In the meantime, other networks will snap him up for their shows, since they'd actually like people to watch them.

[Kyuu]

No, the FCC isn't to blame. Pink performed the exact same move on the Billboard Music Awards here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPpSpBcs4wg at 1:35. The BMAs were aired on Fox, another network station. If the FCC is to punish Adam, then they have to punish Pink too, or else they are clearly being sexist and homophobic and exhibiting a double standard.

Bottom line: ABC is being homophobic and trying to write it off as otherwise.

[Shan]

I know I'm still disgusted. The kiss wasn't that bad, but the other? Good gravy. What on earth made him think he could get away with something like that? Yes, we rolled our eyes at first, but then the anger set in. I'm hoping it'll pass, for me at least, because I loved Adam on AI.

/sigh

[Alexis]

Why is it okay for Pink and not Adam?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPpSpBcs4wg

[ANONIMO]

Adam is the best!!! ABC sucks...

[Blondiegrrl]

If Adam's AMA performance was deemed soooo offensive, then why is it OK for P!nk to grind a male dancer's face into her crotch, as seen here in a live performance on Fox network a few years ago? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPpSpBcs4wg
ABC's actions against Adam Lambert are the result of bigotry, pure and simple.

[shalotte]

So now ABC is blackballing an out gay artist for a performance they knew was going to be risque and sexy, because he also made it gay.

Last time they used the excuse that GMA is shown in the morning. What's their excuse for Kimmel and New Year's Eve? Apparently they're not even trying anymore?

I'm beyond appalled. I've never heard of a network doing this to any artist before. And the one they pick to do it to is the first pop star who's had the guts to be out from the start?

[Angie]

All these cancellations on Adam is BS!! He has said several times that the performance on AMA was one performance! Give him a chance to redeem himself! He is a wonderful man with a wonderful talent and that is to entertain!!

[Bill]

Double standard or homophobia

2004 Billboard Awards, Pink does same move as Adam Lambert. No FCC problem: http://bit.ly/8npcA9 at 1:36 screencap: http://bit.ly/5YRy5k

[Ducky]

Oh, for the love of God.

[LiLiW]

I think ABC is behaving in a cowardly manner if they indeed are hiding behind the FCC's skirts. America - this is the 21st century and you still believe in censorship and witch hunts? Anyone in support of this should be deeply ashamed of themselves. Best hope that the trend toward fascism doensn't intrude into YOUR lives.

[Valerie]

Of course it will blow over. It is only a matter of time. BTW his video for FYE is now at vh1.com. It is hot!

[Merla]

I am in complete consternation as to ABC's actions. I thought canceling GMA was a slap on the wrist, Adam reacted with complete graciousness in defending them in every one of his interviews, and we could move on. Unfortunately, this apparently isn't the case. What is their reasoning? Unless they address this rather than hiding their heads in the sand, I will continue to believe it is their unreasonable antiquated belief structure and will no longer support them, Disney, or their sponsors. So sad to see such a homophobic reaction in the 21st century.......

[Michelle]

This whole thing is absolutely ridiculous and ABC needs to get over it. Here is Pink doing the same move at the Billboard Awards on FOX a couple years ago: http://i46.tinypic.com/1124x9l.jpg Even removed a week from the performance, it wasn't that shocking nor that indecent it's just that none of us are used to seeing a gay man do it. This has to stop, ABC. MOVE ON!

[Orihara Kaoru]

Whether it's ABC or the FCC, I think it's pretty clear that discrimination and homophobia is occurring.

As Adam had said, (straight) female performers have been doing similar things for years. Of course, there is the Britney/Madonna kiss at the 2003 VMAs and Pink performed almost exactly the same simulated oral sex move at the 2004 Billboard music awards (here it is on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPpSpBcs4wg). There is an obvious double-standard occurring with this evidence.

At least other networks have not been following suit. Adam is booked for Leno and Conan on NBC and for Larry King Live on CNN. I'm sure a new plan for New Years Eve will come soon.

All I know as an Adam fan is that I will continue to be positive, believe in his incredible talent, and be super excited for the rest of his career.

[Rebecca Monk]

I'm worried - does this mean it's a complete ban of him on any ABC show? It's looking that extreme. What about Barbara Walter's Most Fascinating People of 2009? He's already been interviewed and advertised as one of the 10... Will they remove him from that as well?

[maryny]

Interesting about the FCC. It makes sense, especially since a video of Pink doing the same moves in 2004 has been circulating

[Rebecca]

Seems like I see a lot of stuff on TV that would fall into the "risk" category..even Glee gets pretty sexual...everyone needs to settle down, and put their children to bed at a decent time.

[Kyle]

It has to blow over. As a huge fan, I'M even tired of hearing about it, as I'm sure he is. Canceling these performances is just exacerbating things, in my opinion. Lets all, collectively, chill out a little. Kids will not be scarred and the planets will not disalign if he performs on your network again, Disney.

By the way, his debut album, "For Your Entertainment" hit #3 on the BillBoard Top 200 for sales last week, and it is a great record. So let's hope the next news wave is about this, huh?

[Marian]

ABC suits are being totally vindictive and cruel against a super talented young man who admits that he may have gone too far but, as far as I'm concerned, did nothing wrong in his performance at the AMAs. Adam's performance did not morally or ethically exceed any of the performances before him. He should not have to suffer at the hands of the cruel, stupid and utterly ridiculous homophobic suits of ABC. He has stated that he went too far (although many of us didn't think so) and learned from this experience. He performed beautifully on CBS Early Show, Letterman and Ellen. Adam is not only super talented but super bright and it's a shame that ABC doesn't recognize his intelligence. However long ABC shuns Adam is exactly how long ABC and affiliates will not be turned on at my house.